Elephant family tries to wake up dozing jumbo enjoying a nap on Thai road

This is the adorable moment a family of elephants try to wake up one of the herd - after he spent the night sleeping on a road.

The jumbos had been laid across the mountain highway using the tarmac for warmth as it retains heat from the sun during the day.

But it was such a comfortable slumber that the elder elephant had trouble being roused on Monday (August 26) morning in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast Thailand.

Incredible footage shows the four other elephants standing over the sleeping creature. One of the herd uses its trunk to nudge the sleeping elder and try to wake him up.

Onlooker Khun Kamron said it took another minute or two for the other elephants to successfully wake the dozing jumbo.

He said: ''The whole family had been sleeping in the road. They like it because the surface is warm. They fall asleep at night then wake up in the same place in the morning.

''But when I saw this group one of the bigger elephants would not wake up. It's like the others are saying to him 'Come on, wake up now, we'll be late for work'.

''Honestly, I was thrilled to see this. There are many elephants in the forest but it's rare to see them like this. It's very special to see their natural behaviour so close.''